Article

50th Test for Cheteshwar Pujara

02 Aug 2017

When Cheteshwar Pujara will enter the Sinhalese Sports club Ground, Colombo for the 2nd Test Match between India and Sri Lanka on 3rd August 2017, it will be a historic moment not only for him but also for all of us.

Cheteshwar Pujara, the run machine and the son of Saurashtra soil will be playing his 50th Test Match and while doing so, he will become the first ever Saurashtrian to achieve this milestone. While his outstanding records speak for himself, it is pertinent to note that he has scored almost 4000 test runs at an average of more than 52 runs per innings. He also has scored 12 big hundreds during this journey. More importantly he has not only won the games for India but also has saved as many.

When most Indian star cricketers were busy playing IPL, Cheteshwar was putting all the hard work to fine tune his techniques by playing English county cricket away from all the lime light. None of the negative things in life has ever been able to overpower his focus and hunger to score runs in which ever format and whatever brand of cricket he gets to play at any level.

It appears as if he is sent on this planet by the almighty to show case the ultimate meaning of “pure concentration” and “genuinely true sports personality”. Throughout the journey of his cricket career over the past a decade or more, he has set a very high benchmark not only in terms of his performance on the field but also that of dignified behaviour and conduct on and off the field. His impeccable integrity towards the sport and brilliant attitude has won him hearts and recognition all over the world.

As you walk in the Sinhalese sports club ground on 3rd Cheteshwar, be assured there will be millions of people including your own kathiawadi people will be feeling proud of your achievement. However the feeling of wanting more from you will always be there. Runs...Test matches...Many more to come.

-Prakash Bhatt

(Prakash Bhatt is prominent and famous Cricketer from Saurashtra. He has played 51 first class matches and scored 3300 runs. He has been captain for Ranji Trophy team of Saurashtra. He played in Duleep Trophy and Deodhar Trophy for West Zone. He also played professional cricket in England and Kenya. Presently, he is official BCCI match referee.)